Planetary engineering Totally Explained

Everything about Geoengineering totally explained

Planetary engineering is the application of technology for the purpose of influencing the global properties of a planet. The goal of this theoretical task is usually to make other worlds habitable for life. Perhaps the best-known type of planetary engineering is terraforming, by which a planet's surface conditions are altered to be more like those of Earth. Other terms used for particular types of planetary engineering include caeliforming, for the creation of an Earth-like atmosphere, and ecopoiesis for the introduction of an ecology to a lifeless environment. Planetary engineering is largely the realm of science fiction at present, although some types of climate change on Earth are recent evidence that humans can cause change on a global scale.

Terraforming

Terraforming is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, or ecology of a planet, moon, or other body to be similar to those of Earth in order to make it habitable by humans.

Geoengineering

Geoengineering is the deliberate modification of Earth's environment on a large scale "to suit human needs and promote habitability". Others define it more narrowly as focusing only on the mineralogy and hydrology of the Earth. The term geoengineering is distinct from accidental anthropogenic climate change.
   As human populations grow and technology spreads, measurable changes in the Earth are becoming more apparent. Anthropogenic land use, accelerated since the industrial revolution, have led to the alteration of between one-third and one-half of the Earth's land surface. Levels of atmospheric CO₂ have increased by approximately 30 percent over the last two centuries. More atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined. And, more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humans.
   Records indicate that surface temperatures have risen by more than half a degree Celsius (one degree Fahrenheit) within the last 50 years. Sea surface temperatures (SST) have also risen during the last 30 years by a comparable amount.. While there's still political debate over the notion that these changes in Earth's climate are the accidental result of human civilization through the industrial emission of greenhouse gases, the scientific community is almost entirely in agreement about the science of global warming. According to most climate models, climate change may result in altered precipitation patterns and the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather around the world.
   Much proposed geoengineering is a reaction to human-induced global warming. Although many geo-engineering projects have been proposed (see below), large-scale CO₂-storage through tree-plantations is the only serious, globally accepted means to decrease greenhouse gases. In addition, it's also the only scheme being undertaken on a large (or planetary) scale.

Proposed projects

Several geo-engineering projects have been proposed. The documentaries Five ways to save the world and La temperature grimpe describe many of the most notable projects. Important projects include:

Mirrors in space: proposed by Roger Angel with the purpose to deflect a percentage of solar sunlight into space, using mirrors floating around the earth in orbit.

Stratosphere sulfur-spraying: proposed by Paul Crutzen with the purpose to modify the earth's albedo with reflective or absorptive materials spread over portions of its surface. It could be argued that pursing geoengineering solutions sends the message that humans can continue to live out of harmony with the Earth as long as we've enough clever technological solutions to preserve human life. This disregard for the overall health of Earth's ecosystems and natural environments is an affront to proponents of sustainable development.
Furthermore, geoengineering opens up various political and economic issues. David Keith argues that the cost of geoengineering the Earth is within the realm of small countries, large corporations, or even very wealthy individuals. This effectively eliminates any control over who gets to decide when to cool the Earth and how often this should be done.
However, it could also be argued that more conservative use of resources isn't enough to mitigate global warming. Even if all greenhouse emissions suddenly came to a complete halt, the climate would continue to warm well into the next century due to the residual effect of greenhouse gases. Conservation of resources and reduction of greenhouse emissions, used in conjunction with geoengineering, could be considered the best option by some.

Further Information

Get more info on 'Geoengineering'.

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